Living Cost Compare
Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

vs
Springfield

Missouri

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Fargo, ND versus $940 in Springfield, MO. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $66,029 in Fargo, ND and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 30% higher in Fargo, ND. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Fargo, ND
Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio
$671
$760
+13% in Springfield, MO
1 Bedroom
$804
$772
+4% in Fargo, ND
2 Bedroom
$956
$926
+3% in Fargo, ND
3 Bedroom
$1,368
$1,158
+15% in Fargo, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$269,800
$165,200
+39% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income
$66,029
$45,984
+30% in Fargo, ND
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,050
$45,780
+10% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.2 yr
33.6 yr
+1.4 yr in Springfield, MO
Homeownership
44.1%
42.9%
+1.2 pp in Fargo, ND
Bachelor's+ (25+)
43.2%
30.3%
+12.9 pp in Fargo, ND
Avg Commute
15.8 min
18.0 min
+2.2 min in Springfield, MO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
504.9
1,189.8
+136% in Springfield, MO
Property Crime
3,726.4
4,231.6
+14% in Springfield, MO

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
42.4°F
56.3°F
+13.9°F in Springfield, MO
Annual Precipitation
22.6 in
45.6 in
+23.0 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.6
13.7
+1% in Springfield, MO
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.39
$24.13
+112% in Springfield, MO

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / MO)
5%
4.225%
+0.8 pp in ND
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
4.70%
+2.2 pp in MO

Fargo vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fargo or Springfield?
They're close. Fargo, ND runs about $940 a month and Springfield, MO about $940 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fargo than in Springfield?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Fargo versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Fargo or Springfield?
Fargo is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).